Index (WOMAC) score ( Ehrich et al 2000), the 12-Item Hip Questionnaire ( Dawson et al 1996), and the Harris Hip Score ( Harris 1969), no two studies used the same measure. Objective functional measures, including stair climbing or the 6MWT, varied among the trials. Only one trial used a generic quality of life measure – the Assessment of Quality of Life questionnaire ( Hawthorne et al 1999). Because of these

differences, function Raf inhibitor review scores and quality of life measures were not meta-analysed and are reported as individual results in the text. Strength: Rehabilitation exercises after discharge were effective for improving hip abductor strength, with a mean between-group difference of 16 Nm (95% CI 10 to 22) as presented in Figure 2. See also Figure 3 on eAddenda for detailed forest plot. For two of the four trials included in this meta-analysis, the intervention was home-based. The exercises did not, however, have statistically significant effects on the strength of the hip extensors and flexors. The best estimate of the effect on hip extensor strength was close to significant – an improvement of 21 Nm (95% Sclareol CI −2 to 44) as presented in Figure 4. See also Figure 5 on eAddenda for detailed forest plot. The best estimate of the effect on hip flexor strength was an improvement of 6 Nm (95% CI −2 to 13) as presented in Figure 6. See also Figure 7 on eAddenda for detailed forest plot. Two

of the three trials included in these meta-analyses assessed a home-based intervention. The exercises also did not significantly improve knee extensor strength, although the trend was again favourable with a mean between-group difference of 42 Nm (95% CI −4 to 89) as presented in Figure 8. See also Figure 9 on eAddenda for detailed forest plot. One of the two trials assessed a home-based intervention. Gait: Rehabilitation exercises after discharge were effective for improving gait speed by 6 m/min (95% CI 1 to 11) as presented in Figure 10. See also Figure 11 on eAddenda for detailed forest plot. Rehabilitation exercises also significantly improved cadence by a mean of 20 steps/min (95% CI 8 to 32) in the one trial that measured it ( Unlu et al 2007).